Wendy Clemente

Past President 2025-Current

“I inspire greatness by helping children find their voice. A child who sings with confidence and joy will always know how to share his or her ideas and empower others to use their voices as well. I believe that the singers in my classroom are on their way to becoming citizens who will live their lives out loud.”  

Since 2003, Wendy Clemente has taught general and vocal music in the Lower School. Beginning with the Tiny Torreys, she enjoys watching her students explore musical expression and find their voice. She believes that all humans are musical and that early music experiences can build skills that will set up a lifetime of music making.  In the Middle and Upper School divisions, Wendy works as the theater costumer, designing and dressing shows, while also teaching and mentoring costuming students in the theater tech program.  

A life-long Californian, Ms. Clemente always knew that she wanted to be a music teacher. She grew up singing regularly in church and began piano lessons at age 9. In high school, she began performing in musical theater while also interning for a small-label fashion designer. She spent a year studying music and theater in England, toured Western Europe as a soloist, and finally graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. Ms. Clemente began her first teaching job in Bozeman, Mont., and then relocated to San Diego, teaching music and English at Escondido Adventist Academy for 11 years before coming to LJCDS. She continues to perform as a soprano and conducts various choral organizations, including the La Jolla Renaissance Singers, the UCSD  Geisel Library Toy Piano Duo, Bach Collegium–San Diego, St. Paul’s Cathedral, La Jolla Playhouse, and the La Sierra University Vocal Octet Alumni.  On weekends, she serves as music director at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Escondido.  In 2019, she was selected as the La Jolla Rotary Club Teacher of the Year.  

Ms. Clemente spends her spare time sewing costumes and apparel for herself and family members, cooking gourmet vegetarian food, reading, and traveling with her husband, two adult children (who are both  LJCDS lifers) and two cats.

Elena Correia

Secretary

2026

Elena Correia is a soprano, music educator, and arts administrator based in the San Diego area. She holds a Master of Music from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor of Music from San Diego State University, and has performed operatic and concert repertoire with companies including Palm Beach Opera, Sarasota Opera, the Juilliard Opera Theater, and San Diego State Opera Theater, earning honors such as an Independent Grammy Award and top prizes in national and international vocal competitions. Since 2021, Elena has served as Vocal Arts Director at the San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where she developed the school's solo singer's pathway curriculum for grades 9–12 and teaches music fundamentals, theory, ear training, and sight-reading. She also teaches at the San Diego Community College District and National University, and directs student musicals and vocal programs at Scripps Ranch High School. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Elena has built and led choral and vocal programs at schools across California and Florida, mentoring students toward successful college, conservatory, and professional auditions. She holds a California Teaching Credential (CTE, Designated Subject Music) and is currently completing her VAPA Single Subject credential, expected November 2026. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Elena is CEO and Founder of The Healing Tree Performing Arts Project and brings this combination of performance artistry, curriculum development, and program leadership to her role as Secretary on the board of the San Diego Kodály Organization. 

RACHEL ALESSIO

President-Elect

2026

Rachel Alessio is a San Diego native who holds a B.A. in Music Education from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Southern Illinois University. With over ten years of experience in arts education, administration, and performance, she currently serves as Director of Choirs at Santa Fe Christian Schools, and Children’s Choir Director at La Jolla Presbyterian Church.

Passionate about using music and theater to develop the whole person, Ms. Alessio is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of music, storytelling, and performance with her students. As an advocate for music literacy in schools, she recently completed Level 2 of Kodaly certification, and will continue working towards being a fully certified Kodaly choir teacher. She credits her family, mentors, and faith in God for shaping her journey as an educator and artist.